Question

how does surface mining lead to degradation

Answer 1

Strip mining destroys landscapes, forests and wildlife habitats at the site of the mine when trees, plants, and topsoil are cleared from the mining area. This in turn leads to soil erosion and destruction of agricultural land. When rain washes the loosened top soil into streams, sediments pollute waterways.

Answer 2

Surface mining erodes the surface of soil

Thus this leads to degradation